Alphabet Inc’s Google, the search engine giant, is studying steps to open a
representative office in Vietnam, according to the government of the south-east
Asian country, as Hanoi readies a tough new cyber-security law requiring
technology companies to establish a presence there and store data locally.

A Vietnamese cybersecurity law that global technology companies and rights
groups have warned could undermine development and stifle innovation, will
protect the country from increasing cyber threats, the security ministry has
said.

Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications is encouraging the
development of broadband infrastructure to complete the 4G network and begin
work on 5G as early as possible to enhance the performance of the Internet of
Things (IoT).

Vietnam’s new cybersecurity law is designed to protect online rights and
create a “safe and healthy cyberspace,” the foreign ministry said on Thursday,
although critics have warned it gives the Communist-ruled state more power to
crack down on dissent.

Seventeen U.S. lawmakers have urged the CEOs of Facebook and Google to
resist changes stipulated by a new cybersecurity law in Vietnam, which critics
say gives the Communist-ruled state more power to crackdown on dissent.

The United States and Canada urged Vietnam on Friday to delay a vote on a
proposed cybersecurity law, the U.S. Embassy said, amid widespread concern the
law would cause economic harm and stifle online dissent in the communist-ruled
country.

The United States has raised concerns with Vietnam about its proposed
cybersecurity law, the US Embassy said on May 24, amid activists' fears the new
legislation will cause economic harm and crackdown on online dissent in the
communist-ruled country.